Big Gay Picture Show

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema and more

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema & more

Swiss Army Man (Blu-ray Review) – Things get a little gay between a man & Daniel Radcliffe’s farting corpse

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It’s the call every actor dreams about, when someone asks them, ‘Will you play a farting corpse which has a direction-finding erection?’ The lucky man to get that role was Daniel Radcliffe, who stars as a dead guy dubbed Manny. He’s found washed up on a beach by Hank (Paul Dano), a man stranded on an island whose just about to kill himself. However, discovering Manny starts to change Hank’s perspective – not least because it allows Hank to ride the massively flatulent body back to the mainland.

Although Manny is definitely dead, things take an unexpected turn when he starts to talk, and also reveal other powers that help Hank survive in the wilderness. However, Manny has no memory of his previous existence, so Hank begins to teach him about life and love, and in the process begins to think that perhaps there are things worth living for. That includes a woman whose picture is on a phone, as well as in the growing relationship between Hank and Manny, which moves towards being a romance. Oh, and there’s Manny’s erection, which helps point them in the direction they need to go to. [Read more…]

Win The Pass: Russell Tovey Stars In This BAFTA-Nominated, Gay-Themed Film

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Discover a truly relevant and topical story as the critically acclaimed and BAFTA nominated, THE PASS comes to DVD April 10th. Starring Russell Tovey (Looking, Being Human, The History Boys) and Arinzé Kene (Our Girl) and introducing a huge talent in Ben A. Williams’ debut directing role, we are celebrating this very exciting release by giving you the chance to win one of two copies of THE PASS on DVD.

THE PASS is the story of three very different nights over 10 years in the life of a Premier League Footballer. Jason (Russell Tovey) is at the beginning of his career, and on the night before his first big international match he and long-time friend and team-mate Ade (Arinzé Kene) share a hotel room, trying to beat the inevitable pre-match tensions with locker-room banter and teenage high-jinks. Out of nowhere Jason kisses Ade. The emotional repercussions of this pass, and the decisions that follow on and off the pitch, have a major impact on every aspect of the public and private lives of both men across the next decade, in a sporting world where image is everything.

Read our four-star review here

https://youtube.com/watch?v=UdT4t1mRnB0

To enter this great prize draw, simply watch the trailer, answer the question below and fill in your details, then press submit! The competition closes on April 21st, 2017, so get answering and good luck.

Don’t miss one of 2017’s most important films when The Pass arrives on DVD April 10th & on Digital Download on April 3rd   [Read more…]

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Gay Short Film Showcase: Ian McKellen Looks Back On Growing Up When Being Gay Was Illegal

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There are events marking 50 years since the decriminalisation of most gay sex (in private) in England And Wales going on up and down the UK this year. One of the most prominent is a major exhibition at Tate Britain, Queer British Art 1861-1967, which runs from April 5th to October 1st 2017.

To go alongside that, Random Acts has partnered with Tate to present six films in response to Queer British Art. These provide glimpses into LGBTQ lives through intimate portraits of six individuals. The films use differing styles of storytelling, with each queer filmmaker bringing their own creative approach.

The first of those has now been released online, and in it ‘Scott Chambers gives an emotional performance evoking the feelings of a young Ian McKellen, as the acclaimed actor narrates his account of growing up in a time when there was no possibility of being out as a young gay man.’

It’s a short and moving look at what it must have been like to realise you are gay at a time when it wasn’t just stigmatised but when expressing it was actually illegal. Take a look at the short film below. [Read more…]

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3 Generations Trailer – The trans-themed drama starring Elle Fanning, Susan Sarandon & Naomi Watts is finally coming

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Back in August 2015 we got the first trailer for a trans-themed movie called About Ray, which was supposed to be released not long afterwards in the US. However, then it dropped off the release schedule. There was also a slightly tepid reception at film festivals and anger among some that a female-to-male trans teenager was being played by a cisgender actor, Elle Fanning.

However, now it’s back on the radar, with a new title – 3 Generations – and a new trailer. It’s also got The Weinstein Company (TWC) revved up to fight the fact it’s been given an ‘R’ rating by the MPAA. The US certification body cited language including some sexual references behind the decision.

TWC has enlisted the help of top lawyer David Boies to advise on their dissent. Largely known for his pivotal role to overturn Proposition 8, California’s discriminatory ban on gay marriage, back in 2009, Boies has consulted on numerous human rights issues for TWC, including censorship of the Academy Award nominated film Carol, as well as a previous protest of the rating of the documentary Bully, which successfully fought to lower its rating from R to PG-13.

Executive producer Naomi Watts, who stars in the film as Ray’s mother Maggie, comments: “This film is a beautiful and touching story about family and identity. It is important for teenagers to see it and the R Rating doesn’t reflect today’s society. 3 Generations doesn’t have a bad bone in its body, it’s an expression of love, acceptance, strength, and honesty, values that could not be more necessary right now.”

However, the less charitable may see this social justice fight as a way to distract from the criticism the movie has received due to the cast of Elle Fanning, as well as to help link it to the current fights of trans teens such as Gavin Grimm and Mack Beggs.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘3 GENERATIONS tells the stirring and touching story of three generations of a family living under one roof in New York as they deal with the life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. Ray (Elle Fanning) is a teenager who has struggled with the body assigned to him at birth and is determined to start transitioning. His single mother, Maggie (Naomi Watts), must track down Ray’s biological father (Tate Donovan) to get his legal consent to allow Ray’s transition. Dolly (Susan Sarandon), Ray’s lesbian grandmother is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. They must each confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family in order to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.’

The film will be released in LA & New York on May 5th. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]

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World Premiere Of Gay History Film Queerama To Open This Year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest

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Sheffield Doc/Fest has become one of the world’s premiere festivals dedicated to documentaries, and over the years it’s also had an admirable record of including movies on LGBT themes. This year, that includes the movie that will open the festival, the World Premiere of Queerama.

The event, on June 9th at City Hall, Sheffield, will help mark the 50th Anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act, which decriminalised most sex acts between consenting men in private, in England and Wales. Daisy Asquith’s film was created from the treasure trove of the BFI National Archive, capturing the relationships, desires, fears and expressions of gay men and women starting in 1919 – weaved with the lyrics and music of John Grant and Hercules & Love Affair.

It should be an interesting movie, partly because over the year the BFI has done a good job of helping collect filmed documents on gay people. That includes funding LGBT-themed shorts even before gay sex was decriminalised, and adding various queer-themed films to their archive.

The screening at Sheffield will be followed by a live performance from singer/songwriter John Grant.

There will be plenty of other interesting film screening at Sheffield Doc/Fest from June 9th to 14th, so head over to the official website to find out more.

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Christian Bale, Steve Carell & Amy Adams In Talks For Adam McKay’s Dick Cheney Movie

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Adam McKay​ is best known for directing Will Ferrell in films like Stepbrothers, Anchorman and The Other Guys. However, as he showed with The Big Short (for which he won a writing Oscar), he also has more serious interests. That’s resulted in him working on a movie about the former US Vice President (under George W. Bush), Dick Cheney.

Now that film is casting, with THR reporting that Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Amy Adams are all in early talks to star in the movie. If it all comes together, Bale would play ‘Cheney, who was an ardent supporter of strong anti-terrorist actions and a key supporter of the Iraq War. Cheney also is the former CEO of the multinational corporation Halliburton. Carell is circling the role of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Adams would play Cheney’s wife, Lynne Cheney.’

There’s little further info on the movie, such as whether it will cover much of Cheney’s life, or solely cover a particular period in his life. He’s an intriguing figure, seen by some as the real President during George W. Bush’s tenure, by some as a war criminal, and by others as a rather inept person (mostly due to an incident where he accidentally shot a friend in the face during a hunting trip). It’s now clear when the biopic might start shooting.

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Counting For Thunder Trailer – A middle aged man returns home & comes out as gay

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Synopsis: ‘Inspired by his own life experiences, actor/director/writer Phillip Irwin Cooper tells a story of a son’s return home to Alabama, where he is faced with caring for his ill mother (Mariette Hartley) and reconciling with his supportive father (John Heard) while also coming out later in life and discovering romantic feelings for a childhood friend from a life he left behind in the deep South.

Featuring nuanced performances from two American acting icons – Mariette Hartley & John Heard as parents coming to terms with gracefully growing older and reconciling family expectations with the complications of real life. COUNTING FOR THUNDER is an original and heartfelt look at Southern family culture and the unique experience of finding your voice and coming out later in life.’

Wolfe Video will be releasing Counting For Thunder on DVD & VoD on May 4th in the US. Take the look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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Pride Documentary Trailer – The new look at what Pride parades/festivals mean needs your help

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A couple of weeks ago, a work in progress version of the documentary Pride screened at the BFI Flare LGBT Film Festival. It got a great reception, but in order to get it finished and seen by more people, it’s launched a crowdfunding campaign hoping to raise £25,000.

So what’s it all about? Here’s the synopsis from BFI Flare: ‘Pride began as a protest and has taken off around the world as a celebratory symbol of freedom, democracy and human rights. As the mainstream march in London draws larger crowds than ever before, off-shoots have also started to take root, signalling a major shift in queer culture and organising. What does it mean to be proud amidst discussions about racism, homo-nationalism and capitalism? Equally, what does it mean to critique the organisation of Pride-In-London when 49 innocent people were murdered in a gay bar in Orlando last summer?

‘PRIDE?’ is a provocative and intelligent documentary detailing the history of the movement and exuding compassion for the many, often conflicting, parts of the LGTBQ+ community. With wonderful, articulate commentary from the organisers of Black Pride, Queer Picnic, Pride in London and Lesbian Strength, among others. ‘PRIDE?’ is a genuine community effort that seeks to answer a simple but profound question about the future of this iconic movement.’

With the £25,000, the makers hope to complete the movie, including shooting more interviews, engaging graphic designers, getting archive footage, and completing legal reviews. Take a look at the trailer below, and if you like what you see, head over to Indiegogo to help out. [Read more…]

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Michael Keaton May Be Getting Villainous In Tim Burton’s Dumbo

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Although it still doesn’t have a confirmed release date, Disney is fast putting together the cast for it’s planned, live-action take on Dumbo. Production has been pushed back a month, but Danny DeVito, Eva Green and Colin Farrell are all onboard, and now they may be joined by Michael Keaton, according to Variety.

The plot of the film will revolve both around the baby elephant with enormous ears, as well as some children that befriend him. Farrell is set to play their father. Keaton’s role would see him as the man who buys the circus from Danny DeVito, so that he can exploit the little elephant and his mother.

It will be the first time director Tim Burton has worked with Keaton since Batman Returns in 1992, so it’s certainly an overdue reunion. Ehren Kruger wrote the script for the film, which is expected in cinemas either late 2018 or early 2019.

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Colin Farrell Joining Viola Davis In Steve McQueen’s Widows

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Colin Farrell is certainly filling up his dance card, as he recently signed on to star in Disney’s live-action Dumbo movie, and now he’s also set to join Viola Davis in Steve McQueen’s Widows, according to Variety. The film will be the director’s first film since his Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave.

The film is based on Lyda La Plante’s acclaimed 1983 British miniseries ‘about a caper gone wrong, the story follows four armed robbers who are killed in a failed heist attempt, leaving their widows to finish the job.’ Farrell will play a politician who gets mixed up in the criminality.

As well as Viola Davis and Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Rodriguez, Daniel Kaluuya, and Andre Holland are set to star. Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn is set to pen the screenplay. The movie is due to start shooting fairly soon, with Farrell slotting it in before Tim Burton’s Dumbo.

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